John McWhorter & Clifton Duncan – Becoming Thomas Sowell

In this book, Thomas Sowell explores the fundamental differences in visions of human nature that underlie many political and ideological disputes. He identifies two primary visions: the 'constrained' vision, which sees human nature as inherently self-centered and limited by systemic processes, and the 'unconstrained' vision, which views human nature as malleable and perfectible through societal intervention. Sowell argues that these visions shape opinions on a wide range of issues, from justice and equality to power and social institutions. The book blends history, economics, philosophy, and law to provide a comprehensive understanding of these conflicting visions and their implications for political thought and action.

In 'Knowledge and Decisions,' Thomas Sowell examines how social and economic knowledge is transmitted through society and its impact on decision making. The book is divided into two parts: 'Social Institutions' and 'Trends and Issues. ' Sowell argues against the centralization of decision-making power, advocating for decentralized decision making and criticizing the role of intellectuals and government agencies in distorting knowledge and decision-making processes. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the incentives and constraints that influence decision makers and warns about the dangers of abstract and elitist social visions replacing actual knowledge. The book won the 1980 Law and Economics Center Prize for its significant contribution to understanding the differences between market and government processes.

A Personal Odyssey is a memoir by Thomas Sowell that chronicles his life from growing up in Harlem to serving in the Marines and attending the Ivy League. It explores his transformation from a young Marxist to a prominent figure on the political right, detailing his experiences as a writer, teacher, and economist. The book offers insights into his personal and professional evolution amidst challenging times.

The book relates the management succession and increasingly unorthodox ethos of Semco. Semler transformed the company by implementing radical policies such as allowing workers to set their own production quotas, practicing profit sharing down to the factory floor level, and simplifying business processes. This approach led to significant success and made the book a worldwide bestseller.